Keith. You mustn’t go there, and he mustn’t come to you.
[She bows her head; then, suddenly comes close to him.]
Wanda. Please do not take him from me altogether. I will be so careful. I will not do anything to hurt him. But if I cannot see him sometimes, I shall die. Please do not take him from me.
[She catches his hand
and presses it desperately between her
own.]
Keith. Leave that to me. I’m going to do all I can.
Wanda. [Looking up into his face] But you will be kind?
Suddenly she bends and
kisses his hand. Keith draws his hand
away, and she recoils
a little humbly, looking up at him again.
Suddenly she stands
rigid, listening.
[In a whisper] Listen! Someone—out there!
She darts past him and
turns out the light. There is a knock on
the door. They
are now close together between door and window.
[Whispering] Oh! Who is it?
Keith. [Under his breath] You said no one comes but Larry.
Wanda. Yes, and you have his keys. Oh! if it is Larry! I must open!
Keith shrinks back against the wall. Wanda goes to the door.
[Opening the door an inch] Yes? Please? Who?
A thin streak of light from a bull’s-eye lantern outside plays over the wall. A Policeman’s voice says: “All right, Miss. Your outer door’s open. You ought to keep it shut after dark, you know.”
Wanda. Thank you, air.
[The sound of retreating
footsteps, of the outer door closing.
Wanda shuts the
door.]
A policeman!
Keith. [Moving from the wall] Curse! I must have left that door. [Suddenly-turning up the light] You told me they didn’t know you.
Wanda. [Sighing] I did not think they did, sir. It is so long I was not out in the town; not since I had Larry.
Keith gives her
an intent look, then crosses to the fire. He
stands there a moment,
looking down, then turns to the girl, who
has crept back to the
couch.
Keith. [Half to himself] After your life, who can believe—–? Look here! You drifted together and you’ll drift apart, you know. Better for him to get away and make a clean cut of it.
Wanda. [Uttering a little moaning sound] Oh, sir! May I not love, because I have been bad? I was only sixteen when that man spoiled me. If you knew——
Keith. I’m thinking of Larry. With you, his danger is much greater. There’s a good chance as things are going. You may wreck it. And for what? Just a few months more of—well—you know.
Wanda. [Standing at the head of the couch and touching her eyes with her hands] Oh, sir! Look! It is true. He is my life. Don’t take him away from me.